Syria’s de facto leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has been appointed as the country’s transitional president following the removal of President Bashar al-Assad.
According to reports, the Syrian constitution has been suspended, granting al-Sharaa authority to form a temporary legislative council to oversee governance until a new constitution is adopted. The announcement was made by Hassan Abdel Ghani, spokesperson for the new military-backed government.
A major shift in Syria’s power structure was also declared, with the dissolution of armed factions and the integration of military groups into state institutions. The Baath Party, which had ruled Syria for decades under al-Assad and his predecessors, has also been officially disbanded.
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Path to Transition
These developments follow a rapid offensive by al-Sharaa’s faction, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which led to al-Assad’s ousting last month. Since then, HTS has taken control, forming an interim government largely composed of officials from its previous administration in rebel-held Idlib.
Al-Sharaa has outlined plans for a political transition, including a national conference, the formation of an inclusive government, and elections within four years. However, experts highlight that integrating various opposition factions with differing ideologies remains a major challenge.
International Implications
Radwan Ziadeh, a senior analyst at the Arab Center Washington DC, described the move as a “transition of power into civilian hands” and emphasized that key institutional declarations are expected soon.
Meanwhile, the international community is closely monitoring the situation, particularly as the European Union discusses lifting sanctions on Syria. Reports indicate that an EU roadmap to ease sanctions is being considered, which could play a vital role in Syria’s economic recovery.
